Pick-up device with articulated pick-up units and agricultural machine equipped with such a device

Abstract

A pick-up device, usable by an agricultural machine, includes a frame and first and second units. The first and second units each include a displacement device, are arranged beside each other and a small distance apart, are connected directly to the frame by respective first and second articulations having first and second distinct axes directed in a direction of advance, include respective first and second pick-up rotors rotatable about third and fourth axes, and are connected to one another by a guidance device. The first and third axes are in a same seventh plane, the second and fourth axes are in a same eighth plane. A stop mechanism defines two work end positions of the first and second units with respect to the frame, between which they can pivot freely within a limited range, and remain connected to one another regardless of their position between the work end positions.

The invention claimed is:   
     
       1. A pick-up device, comprising:
 tools for raking and picking up products lying on the ground, configured to be mounted on a support framework of an agricultural machine; 
 a rigid frame; 
 a first work unit and a second work unit, each of the first and second work units comprising a displacement device for moving picked up products, the first and second work units being arranged one beside the other when viewed in a direction of advance and at a small distance from one another in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of advance, the first work unit being connected directly to the frame by a first articulation having a first axis extending substantially in the direction of advance, the second work unit being connected directly to the frame by a second articulation having a second axis extending substantially in the direction of advance and being distinct from the first axis, the first work unit comprising a first pick-up rotor which can rotate about a third axis, the second work unit comprising a second pick-up rotor which can rotate about a fourth axis, the first work unit and the second work unit being connected to one another by a guidance means,
 wherein the third axis and the first axis are substantially in a same plane, called a seventh plane, 
 wherein the fourth axis and the second axis are substantially in a same other plane, called an eighth plane; and 
 
 at least one stop means defining two work end positions of the first and second work units with respect to the frame, between which the first and second work units can pivot freely within a limited range about their respective first and second articulations with the frame, 
 wherein the first and second work units remain connected to one another via the guidance means regardless of their position between the work end positions. 
 
     
     
       2. The pick-up device according to  claim 1 , wherein a first plane is defined as perpendicular to the third axis and passing by an extreme right end point of the first work unit according to the direction of advance, wherein a second plane is defined as perpendicular to the third axis and passing by an extreme left end point of the first work unit according to the direction of advance, wherein a third plane is defined as perpendicular to the fourth axis and passing by the extreme left end point of the second work unit according to the direction of advance, wherein a fourth plane is defined as perpendicular to the fourth axis and passing by the extreme right end point of the second work unit according to the direction of advance, wherein the first axis lies between the first plane and the second plane, wherein the second axis lies between the third plane and the fourth plane, and wherein at least one of the first and second axes lies substantially halfway of the first plane and the second plane, respectively the third plane and the fourth plane. 
     
     
       3. The pick-up device according to  claim 1 , wherein the guidance means connects the first and second work units with one another at least in a substantially vertical direction and enables them to move freely relative to one another in a direction that is substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the direction of advance, regardless of a position of the first and second work units between the work end positions. 
     
     
       4. The pick-up device according to  claim 1 , wherein the guidance means comprises a finger that is rigidly fastened to the second work unit and a guide that is rigidly fastened to the first work unit and that includes an opening configured to receive the finger,
 wherein the opening has an elongated shape of which a dimension in a direction substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the direction of advance is substantially greater than a dimension of the finger in the same direction, and 
 wherein the opening has a dimension equal to or slightly greater than a dimension of the finger in a substantially vertical direction. 
 
     
     
       5. The pick-up device according to  claim 4 , wherein the finger is engaged in the guide regardless of a position of the first work unit or the second work unit between the work end positions. 
     
     
       6. The pick-up device according to  claim 1 , wherein the stop means includes a first part connected to the frame and a second part with two supports, which second part is connected to the first and second work units, and wherein each work end position of the two work end positions is defined by contact of one, respectively the other support with the first part. 
     
     
       7. The pick-up device according to  claim 4 , wherein the opening has an oblong shape with two ends, and wherein the stop means is formed by the finger and the ends. 
     
     
       8. The pick-up device according to  claim 3 , wherein the first pick-up rotor and the second pick-up rotor are arranged one beside the other when viewed in the direction of advance, and at a small distance from one another in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of advance. 
     
     
       9. The pick-up device according to  claim 3 , wherein the first pick-up rotor and the second pick-up rotor are separated by a space, and wherein the guidance means is arranged in the space. 
     
     
       10. The pick-up device according to  claim 9 , wherein a fifth plane is defined as substantially vertical, substantially perpendicular to the direction of advance and passing by an extreme front end point of the first or second pick-up rotors, wherein a sixth plane is defined as substantially vertical, substantially perpendicular to the direction of advance and passing by a front edge of a conveyor belt, and wherein the guidance means is arranged between the fifth and sixth planes. 
     
     
       11. The pick-up device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first pick-up rotor and the second pick-up rotor are mutually driven in rotation by a coupling. 
     
     
       12. The pick-up device according to  claim 11 , wherein the coupling is a finger coupling. 
     
     
       13. The pick-up device according to  claim 11 , wherein the coupling is a cardan coupling. 
     
     
       14. The pick-up device according to  claim 11 , wherein the coupling is an elastic coupling. 
     
     
       15. The pick-up device according to  claim 11 , wherein the coupling comprises a first center, and wherein the third axis of the first pick-up rotor and the fourth axis of the second pick-up rotor pass substantially through the first center. 
     
     
       16. The pick-up device according to  claim 11 , wherein the guidance means is arranged close to the coupling. 
     
     
       17. The pick-up device according to  claim 15 , wherein the first axis and the second axis are substantially in a same ninth plane, wherein the guidance means comprises a second center, and wherein the first center and the second center form a segment of a straight line that is substantially parallel to the ninth plane. 
     
     
       18. The pick-up device according to  claim 11 , further comprising a drive means drives the first pick-up rotor in rotation, and wherein the second pick-up rotor is driven in rotation by transmission of rotating motion from the first pick-up rotor to the second pick-up rotor via the coupling. 
     
     
       19. The pick-up device according to  claim 1 , wherein the stop means is configured such that a pivoting angle of the first or second work units between the work end positions is less than or equal to 20°. 
     
     
       20. The pick-up device according to  claim 1 , wherein each work unit has a working width between seventy centimeters and four meters. 
     
     
       21. The pick-up device according to  claim 1 , wherein each displacement device comprises a conveyor belt that moves products laterally in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of advance. 
     
     
       22. An agricultural machine comprising at least one pick-up device according to  claim 1 .